Is This Me?

Jungle Mom did this so I posted my answer. Carree I know you're reading it so comment and tell me what you think.

Your Personality Profile

You are pure, moral, and adaptable.You tend to blend into your surroundings.Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life...And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye.As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

a href="The World's Shortest Personality Test/a

Tips For An Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

A good friend of mine sent me this in an email yesterday. I thought I would post it for all of us.

TIPS FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL, SUPERB & POWERFUL LIFE!
1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.
2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.Buy a lock if you have to.
3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to________ today.'
5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.
7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.
8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.
9.) Dream more while you are awake.
10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.
12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class ......but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.
25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27.) Forgive everyone for everything.
28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.
29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!
34.) The best is yet to come.
35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36.) Do the right thing!
37.) Call your family often.
38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:'I am thankful for __________.'Today I accomplished _________.
39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride. LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT!Have a Blessed day.

Today I'm Sad

The first time I saw Heath Ledger was in the movie The Patriot. It's a movie about the American Revolution, and premiered on my 31st birthday. In it he played a young man who defies his father in order to fight in the Revolution. He falls in love, marries and dies avenging his wife who was murdered by the Red Coats. It was a captivating story. As it turns out, it was the only movie I ever saw him in. I don't know him, never met him, but today I am sad that this young man, son, brother and father lost his life.

It Really Is A Small World

Well, I was able to be up and about today. I ran a few errands and stopped by the Red Cross office to see what's up. I volunteer with them and occasionally new opportunities arise etc. I was chatting with the guy who is temporarily running the place. You know how chat goes you talk about background, where you're from etc. Well what do you think? It turns out he not only knows but was a friend of my brother Steve! Steve has spent almost his entire life in Springfield, Missouri, and he has not traveled much so it was really a shock. This guy used to work with him and I could tell from his conversation about him that he knew him well. Will wonders never cease! How fun was that! I think that is so cool to be a world away in Bamberg, Germany and run in to someone who knows my brother from some little town like Springfield! I can't wait to get hold of him and tell him. Anyone else have an experience like that?

This And That

Well, my pain is somewhat better but still giving me fits. The nurse at the high school on post who I substitute for is going to be away for 3 weeks and I am going to sub for her. I asked her today how to deal with shamming students and she said tell them that you're going to send them back to class unless they would like for you to call their mom about it. She said if they are really not feeling well they will say call my mom and if they are shamming they will not want her called. lol I guess it's been too long since I have been in school! Although I must say that I wasn't one to say I was sick if I wasn't. There isn't much going on around here right now. I have been catching up on my reading. I had a job interview the other day with the dermatologist on post. He is in need of a nurse and I have had some experience with some of the procedures he performs so I'm hoping I'll get chosen. Alaina won't be coming for some months so I might as well be working. It will help the time go by faster and we can save the extra money. He said I should know in the next week or two. He knows about Alaina coming and knows that when we get the call to go and get her I will have to go. He has no problem with that so it's all good. Well, I'm off. Have a wonderful day!

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

How do you guys feel about these questionnaires. This one is pretty close to me although I don't know where the Australia thing comes in but the one from yesterday was off. I'm not really that much of a brainiac. I'm not the dullest knife in the drawer but I'm not the sharpest either.

What Your Pizza Reveals

You have a hearty appetite. You are likely to complain if a restaurant has small portions. You are a very picky pizza eater. Not any pizza will do. You fit in best in the Northeast part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are generous, outgoing, and considerate with your choices. You have many conflicting and complementary layers to your personality. You should consider traveling to Australia. The stereotype that best fits you is geek. You're the type most likely to order pizza to avoid leaving your computer.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

Are You A Brainiac?

You Are a Total Brainiac

You're amazingly brilliant. Some would even say genius. You're curious, thoughtful, analytical, and confident. You take on difficult subjects because you want to... not because you have to. No field of knowledge is too complicated or intimidating for you. You've got the brains to do anything you want. It's possible you end up doing everything you want.

Are You a Brainiac?

Sunday

I heard from my cousin Kath in Australia today. It's always good to hear from her especially as she is nearly 93 years old. The good thing about this hip problem is that I have little appetite which is quite unusual for me. When I was at the doctor last week (the first time) I had lost 4 pounds. They didn't weigh me the second time but I'm sure I've lost quite a bit. The only reason I eat at all is to take the medicine. If you take it on an empty stomach it makes you vomit and I'm not a big fan of vomiting. Now don't anyone get the bright idea to go out and injure yourself to lose weight. It usually works the other way. I think of little Alaina constantly and can't wait to get her home. Thanks to all of you who are lifting us up in prayer. Anyway, nothing much new here. I'm getting caught up on my blog reading.

Politics Anyone?

Could she be practicing for a career in politics? It looks like the victory pose after an election. Not that I would wish such a life for her. I like to watch politics, I just wouldn't want to be the politician. lol

Hmmmm maybe I've been watching too much Fox News. Honestly though. Has anyone found a candidate that they really love? I feel like I'm choosing the lesser of the evils here, and looking on the other side there doesn't seem like much to choose from there either.

Oh well, on to more boring things.

The doctor said there isn't really anything they can do for me. It will go away but it will take time. I have found that if I do some stretches with that leg that it really helps better than anything. So that's what I'm doing. Today is a lazy day for us. Saturdays are usually a day of rest for us as Sundays are just too busy to truly be restful. I was able to cook dinner last night and take care of the dishes and the kitchen. lol Who knew I'd ever be so happy to do chores? Oh well, it's all in your perspective. Have a great weekend!

Alaina Pics

OK so here are some of the pictures I took of Alaina.

Updates

Well we heard about baby Andy. They are referring him to a pediatric urologist for more tests, but it's looking like he'll have to have surgery. He's so little. My prayer is that whatever this blockage is it will dissolve itself and he wont have to have any surgery. My God is able. I believe He who made my nephew can fix him.
In other news, this bursitis isn't getting much better. It is a little better as now I can sleep some but the pain is bad and the pain medicine doesn't take it away. However it does make it bearable. OK I'm off to the doctor again. I have the pics of baby Alaina and will post them when I get back.

Bursitis and Prayer Requests

OK, so I went to the clinic yesterday morning. They took x-rays and decided that I have bursitis in my left hip. The doctor gave me some better pain medicine and it's helping, but doesn't keep the pain away. Those of you who are familiar with the pain scale from 1-10 will understand what I mean when I say that the pain went from an 8 to a 4. Today I'm working on relaxing while I move. I think I've been in pain so long that when I go to move I tense up and it makes it all worse. When I make myself relax it's not so painful. I was able to change the bed linens today so I'm thankful for that. Alan is going to take me to the commissary after work tomorrow to help me shop. We haven't found the upload cord yet or I'd be posting pic of Alaina. Sorry to keep you waiting. Please keep my nephew Andy in prayer. There is a problem with one of his kidneys that may require surgery. They are doing tests and we should know something soon. He's only 2 weeks old and so it's scary especially for his mom and dad.

Happy New Year!

I'm back from Guatemala. I had a wonderful visit with baby Alaina and though my back is worse instead of better, I'm still glad I got to see her and hold her for a while. She is such a happy baby! She wakes up all smiles and coos which is a good things seeing as her mama is not a happy morning person. When I get the pics uploaded I'll post some. Guatemalans like their fireworks and set them off all day Christmas eve, Christmas day, new Years eve, and New Years day. Sounded like shooting in the streets. I took Alaina for her first swimming experience. She liked the swimming part (they had a heated pool at the hotel) but she wasn't over fond of the cold feeling when you get out of the water. She didn't cry or make a fuss though.
So, now I'm back home, I can barely move (going to the clinic tomorrow) and there is little to eat in the house. Please pray for my back. The pain is moving downward from the back into my left hip.
This year we hope to bring our girl home, eat healthier and exercise more. It's good to be home. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Merry Christmas

In less than 24 hours I will be on a plane flying to Guatemala to spend my daughter's first Christmas with her. My husband is not able to go as he has work commitments. It will be our first Christmas apart since the 2002 the year we got engaged. This back pain reminds me of then...

see wavy lines as Rebecca remembers back...

2002 - It was coming up on Christmas with all the hustle and bustle we all know. I was working a minimum of 45 hours a week in the burn unit at our hospital. Alan was 80 miles away at Ft. Leonard Wood. My back was hurting me as it often did, but I made no mind of it this weekend. Alan was coming for the weekend and I had packages to mail and things to do. I was going to be making Christmas dinner this year at my mom's house and all the family in town was coming. Alan and I had only been dating since October and so this season was especially joyful with the thrill of a new and special relationship. It felt like anything could happen. It did. I tried to stretch my back out and it seized up on me. An ambulance had to come and get me. I couldn't move and I was in the worst pain imaginable. On a scale of 1-10 I was at a 10 (I really hate it when someone says on a scale of 1-10 they were a 15. You can't be a 15 on a scale of 1-10! The most you can be is a 10! but I digress...) By the time I was admitted to the hospital I had been given 25 mg of Demerol, 20 mg of Ativan (used to relax the muscle), more Demerol and morphine. Those amounts I don't remember, but I'd been given a lot of drugs and finally the pain was tolerable. Alan had come and stayed with me the whole time. He left around midnight. Some time in the night I awoke to noise all around me. I could hear the nurses say they were giving narcan and oxygen and I thought, "uh oh. Someone's in trouble" Then my bed was moving and I opened my eyes. I was on o2 and they were moving me to another room. I was the one in trouble. They had given me too many pain meds. I had stopped breathing and the nurse aide had found me with an 02 saturation of 35%. Not good. Fast forward to Christmas Eve. I am still unable to move much at all. I have IV fluids and oxygen. Alan was supposed to be coming to spend Christmas with my family, but I wouldn't be there. I couldn't leave the hospital. There was snow coming. We got 2 feet of snow in about 4 hours or so. I was worried because Alan had called to say he was coming before the snow got really bad. It was normally a 1.5 hour drive and 3 hours later he hadn't arrived. I watched the news and saw people off the road everywhere. It had taken my sister-in-law an hour to make it a mile. I was so worried about Alan. He should have stayed at home. Finally he came. Still in his uniform it had taken him 4 hours but he'd made it. My brother and sil left to make it home in daylight. Alan and I watched TV and talked little. (Isn't it nice to have someone you can just be quiet with?) The next thing I know he had climbed over the side rail and is laying in the hospital bed with me. I looked at him like what are you doing, the nurses will kill you. (I'm a nurse. I should know) He looked at me and said Rebecca will you marry me? and pulled out a box with a beautiful solitaire diamond ring. I was so excited and said yes. He put the ring on my finger and kissed me. A few minutes later he was getting out of the hospital bed (they weren't made for 2) and turned to me and said, "That wasn't the drugs talking was it?"

wavy lines as Rebecca comes back to the present

No it wasn't the drugs. lol I meant it then and I mean it now. :) That is my favorite Christmas memory so far.

This is my last post this year as I will be away until after the New Year. From our family to yours we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.

May there be peace on Earth,

Rebecca

Weekend

We had a long but wonderful weekend traveling around. We went to Metz in France and visited their Christmas market. Last year, we were wandering around France and when we decided to eat we were near the town of Metz. We found parking and a nice restaurant. After we ate we went walking around the shopping area and came across a wonderful Christmas market. So, this year we decided to go back. We walked around and bought some lovely ornaments, sampled the muled wine (it was freezing cold and the mulled wine was much better than what you get in Germany) bought some home made soaps that smell wonderful and enjoyed the atmosphere. We found a wonderful little Italian restaurant for dinner and then drove back to our hotel. We did some shopping in Kaiserslautern and met Dawn and her husband for lunch on Saturday. This was the first time we had met in person. They were interesting and intelligent and we had a good time. I currently (and all weekend) have had a pinched nerve in my back so that has been a trial. Please pray that it gets better before I go to Guatemala.

Christkindlmarkt

Yesterday we went to a wonderful restaurant commonly called steak on a rock. They bring out these large cuts of meat raw on a way hot square stone that cooks it. So everyone can have it cooked as much or as little as they please. On the side are various sauces to dip it in if you choose. The only one I like is the garlic butter. You can order several different meats. It could be that I have posted on this before, but if I have you can see how great it is by me mentioning it twice. You can order what they call a t-bone steak which I would call a huge porterhouse, bison, crocodile, kangaroo, ostrich, or rump steak. I don't recall there being any others. Anyway, it's just wonderful. Hubby always gets the t-bone, but last time I got the bison and this time I got the ostrich. Ostrich is a red meat and tastes quite a bit like beef, but then most red meats that I have tasted do taste similar.



Anyway, after that we went to the Chriskindlemarkt here in Bamberg. Last year we went to the one in Nurenburg and we may go again this year. Last night the stores in downtown Bamberg were open until midnight. They do this once a year and so we went to enjoy. We tried the gluhwein but didn't like it. lol we liked the non-alcoholic kinderpunch that the children drink. We had a good time anyway.

The Diet

Well, it's really not a diet. I should just say I'm trying to reduce. A lot. These are the things I have learned in the past 2 weeks or so.

My goal here is to only eat when I'm hungry and then to eat fewer carbs. The reason for the low carbs is that carbs convert to sugar in your body very quickly. They leave you feeling hungry faster because they are digested faster. My sister thinks I need to give up sugar all together. I have cut it way back, but I don't know if I can give it up all together. So, I have eaten hard boiled eggs and made homemade beef and vegetable soup etc. I did cut out drinking anything with sugar/calories in it. That hasn't been a big problem since we have that good bottled water and then too I drink a lot of iced tea and put splenda in it. I'm working on eating more vegetables and fruits trying to get more fiber. Yes, I'm still eating Spaghettio's. :)

My name is Rebecca and I'm a foodaholic.

They say that recognising and admitting you have a problem is the first step. So there it is. One night at the beginning of this I was just nervous. I was anxious and upset and restless. I paced around the living room and was positively nervous. I remember thinking, "this is how I felt when I quit smoking." Then it hit me. I was jonesin for a fix. I wanted to eat something, but I wasn't hungry. I really, really wanted to eat. It's a real addiction. The thing is that you can't just quit cold turkey like you could with alcohol or cigarettes etc.

So, as time goes by I will journal my challenges and victories. Feel fee to come along on the journey with me.

Friday

Whew! Another busy day here in Bamberg. Woke up this morning to find that Smokey the cat had played all night in the coupons I had so carefully sorted and stacked. Coupons everywhere. Could the Lord be preparing me for motherhood? 3 loads of laundry today, wrapping Christmas presents, making dinner and the bed of course. 4 pounds lost. Errands run.
Yesterday was bizarre. I woke up when I heard a loud noise just after my husband left for work. I thought, "Oh stink! I forgot to put my water bottles out for exchange! The delivery is today! So I get up, throw my robe on, look outside to see if I could see the truck. I didn't see it, but it was only 0915 (yes a late start I know). Anyway, I had a little water left in the current bottle and I wanted to exchange all the bottles so I hurriedly empty the water into some pitchers, and get the bottles out side. Can you just see me in my bathrobe with hair sticking out everywhere? Anyway, I went on about my day but I waited to take a shower because I didn't want to be in the shower when they came. After a couple of hours and no one came, I call the company. The call doesn't go through. I tried every number I could but it either wouldn't go through or no one was answering. Now I was getting upset. I went outside to see if they came early and left a note in the mail box like they are supposed to. No note. I called my husband and asked him to call thinking maybe he would have better luck. He got through, but there was no answer. I got more and more frustrated and upset. Then I discovered that it was Thursday and not Friday. The delivery day is Friday. OOOPS! lol The whole day I was thinking it was Friday when it was not. Confused my whole day.

Monday

You know, house work never ends. Now, I realize that this is not a huge revelation to well to anyone however some days it just seems endless. Today I truly felt I was climbing Mt. Washmore. Between sweeping and mopping the floors (we don't have carpeting) emptying the dishwasher 3 times and loading/running it twice, making the bed, 5 loads of laundry done completely (2 more to do tomorrow) rearranging the pantry, putting up Christmas decorations and some other organizing, I'm a bit tired. While I'm writing this I'm instant messaging with my brother in Missouri. He's watching some PBS show that we wont get to see and bragging about it oops I mean telling me about it. Oh wait, make that 3 loads to do tomorrow as I have baby wash to do to get ready to go to Guatemala. Not that I'm complaining. I'm not. I'm thankful to have the clothes to wash and a husband to cook for and a baby to wash for, but I think most of you know what I mean about some days it just seems endless. I hope you all had a wonderful day.

The Long Awaited Spaghettios Post

OK here it is. I love Spaghettios and I have discovered that it is not the junk food that some people purport it to be. Lets take a look at the label.

One serving = 1 cup That's 3 servings to a large can and 2 to a regular sized can.
One serving = 180 calories
1 gram of fat
No trans-fat
5 mg cholesterol ( that is extremely low)
850 mg Sodium (this is the one thing that is not so great about it that = 35%
of the recommended daily value)
3 grams of fiber (that's pretty good)
6 grams of protein (also pretty good)
Vitamin A = 10%
Calcium = 2%
Thiamin = 10%
Niacin = 15%
Iron = 10%
Riboflavin = 15%
Folic Acid = 25% (those of us still wanting to bear children really need this)

Note that the website information and the information on my can differed in regards to the sodium content. The website explains this.

So, if you eat a whole regular sized can (2 servings) you are getting a decent amount, it tastes good and you have only spent 360 calories. Plus you gave yourself 6 grams of fiber, 12 grams of protein, and of course double of all those vitamins and minerals listed above. That's pretty good! Now if you get the kind with added calcium you are increasing your calcium intake per serving to 30% and adding 25% of your Vitamin D.

How is that not healthy? OK now for those of you who are salt sensitive or have congestive heart failure or some problem where salt is an issue that is probably too much salt for you to be taking in at one time. However for the rest of us, Dig In!

OK, now I can hear my sister and see the appalled look on her face. lol I'm sure I'll hear about it later. Post all comments. I'm sure some of you will disagree with me and that's OK, let's just keep it nice.

DISCLAIMER
I am not recommending this as a health food and I am not saying that we should eat this every day. However, for the occasional lunch on the go, I believe it is fine and not unhealthy. I'm saying I personally don't believe it to be a junk food.